TODRICK HALL will be in ATTENDANCE

Openly gay singer, songwriter, actor, “Kinky Boots” Broadway star, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” judge and viral YouTube sensation with 2.3 million subscribers (over 400 million views) – Todrick Hall introduces his most ambitious project yet: the DIY 16 video visual album Straight Outta Oz – (#2 on the iTunes album charts). Hall promptly takes on a nationwide tour in the form of an extravagant, full-scale live musical. “Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall” takes you “behind the curtain” to see the process of writing, recording, choreographing, and designing the visual album and tour. Hall’s passion and team of talented friends – including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, comedian Wayne Brady, and Hawaii’s own Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger – help Hall overcome major obstacles to bring his story to the world. Enjoy pupus provided by Chiko’s Tavern at the reception while getting a chance to meet and talk to this inspiration!

Thursday, August 10 – Sunday, August 13, and Tuesday, August 15 – Friday, August 18 (dark on Monday, August 14) – Festival Showcase

FILMMAKER JESSE KLEIN will be in ATTENDANCE Saturday, August 12.

FILMMAKERS DEAN HAMER, JOE WILSON AND HINALEIMOANA WONG-KALU will be in ATTENDANCE Friday, August 18

CLICK HERE to download the 2017 Program Guide.HRFF28 showcases 20 screenings- 17 feature films and 3 short film showcases. Local filmmaker Dean Hamer goes to Tonga to tell the story of a brave young transgender woman finding herself in “Lady Eva.” Other films come from the Americas, Asia, Middle East, Oceania, and Western Europe; most premiered at and won major awards from prestigious film festivals such as Toronto, Venice, Berlin, Sundance, TriBeca, and SXSW.

BRITTANY FERRELL and MCKENZIE DAVIS will be in ATTENDANCE

“Whose Streets?” is a searing, emotionally charged account of the Ferguson uprising following in-your-face civil rights activists, young queer leaders, and married couple Brittany Ferrell and Alexis Templeton as they demand justice for Michael Brown Jr. The unarmed black 18-year-old’s killing by police marks a breaking point for the African-American community of Ferguson, Missouri. Watch these queer community organizers in action as National Guardsmen descend upon Ferguson with military-grade weaponry, and be electrified by this new generation fighting- not for their civil rights, but for the right to live. HRFF’s screening of “Whose Streets?” is timed to premiere just one week after the third anniversary of Brown’s shooting. Join Ferguson civil rights activist and community leader Brittany Ferrell and daughter Mackenzie, who represent the path forward for the new generation of activists, for a Q&A.

DUSTIN LANCE BLACK and TOM DALEY will be in ATTENDANCE

This ABC mini-series featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Guy Pearce, Rosie O’Donnell, and David Hyde Pierceis directed by Academy Award nominated director Gus Van Sant and created by Academy Award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. “When We Rise” chronicles the real-life personal and political struggles and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. civil rights movement. Award-winning screenwriter, director, and LGBT rights activist Dustin Lance Black will talk about his mini-series which aired on ABC Television and worldwide. He’s accompanied by his new husband, U.K. Olympic diving medalistTom Daley.

DUSTIN LANCE BLACK and TOM DALEY will be in ATTENDANCE

Dive into conversation with award-winning screenwriter, director, film and television producer, and LGBT rights activist Dustin Lance Black and his new husband, U.K. Olympic diving medalist Tom Daley at this fundraiser for The Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Culture Foundation. See you poolside in Paradise with Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black! Hosted food, drink tickets and swag bag included.